The average price of a new vehicle in Canada reached a record high of $67,817, according to the AutoTrader Price Index. But if you’re on a much tighter budget than that, don’t worry—there are plenty of great-value cars you can get for less than half the average new vehicle price. Keep reading to learn more about the 10 best cars under $30k in Canada.
There’s no better place to start your under-$30k car shopping adventure than with the Hyundai Elantra. This four-door sedan is powered by a 2-litre, 147 horsepower engine matched with Hyundai’s Smartstream Intelligent Variable Transmission. It features a stylish exterior design and a long list of practical features, including dual-zone automatic climate control, a Bose sound system and Hyundai SmartSense active safety tech. With the Essential, Preferred and Luxury Elantra trims all available for an MSRP of less than $30k, this sedan is well worth a closer look.
The Elantra regularly features among Canada’s top-selling cars. It boasts an impressive combined fuel economy of 6.5L per 100km. Additionally, it includes modern features like Android Auto/Apple CarPlay and a wireless charging pad to enhance user-friendliness. And with the Elantra also earning a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, you can enjoy added peace of mind when hitting the road.
This ever-popular sedan is available in four trims, with the base trim MSRP sitting comfortably within your $30k budget. Powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine, the Civic delivers responsive handling and impressive fuel economy figures. It’s loaded with practical features, including a heated steering wheel, heated front seats, dual-zone automatic climate control and an extensive suite of driver assistance technologies.
All things considered, it’s easy to see why the Civic is one of the top-selling cars in Canada. It’s stylish outside, practical inside, fun to drive and not too thirsty. The Civic was featured in Car and Driver’s list of the 10 Best Cars for 2024 and was also named the Edmunds 2023 Top Rated Car. With a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS and a 5-star car safety rating from the NHTSA, the Civic offers a whole lot of bang for your buck.
Like car buyers in several other countries, Canadians have had a long-standing love affair with the humble Toyota Corolla. The Corolla is powered by a 2-litre, 4-cylinder engine that delivers fuel economy figures of 7.4 litres per 100km in the city and 5.7 litres per 100km for highway driving. It’s loaded with safety features and compatible with both Apple CarPlay & Android Auto. If you don’t want a sedan, there’s a hatchback version available that also sits well within your $30,000 budget.
The Corolla has long been a mainstay on lists of the top-selling cars in Canada, and it was the top-selling car worldwide in 2022. Why is it so popular? It could have something to do with winning a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS and a 5-star safety rating from the NHTSA. It could be because of the Corolla’s impressive fuel economy and long list of safety features. Or maybe it’s just because of Toyota’s famous reliability and strong resale value, which are big selling points for many buyers.
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The only European on this list, the Jetta is a German-engineered sedan that has a whole lot going for it. Powered by a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine paired with a 6-speed manual or 8-speed automatic transmission, the Jetta delivers a combined fuel economy of 7L (manual) or 6.9L (auto) per 100km. Step inside and you’ll find a roomy interior, minimal road noise, ventilated and heated front seats and handy features like wireless device charging.
There are many reasons why the VW Jetta is worth a look for buyers on a $30k budget. It delivers great fuel economy and ample space for your family and luggage. With a 5-star car safety rating from the NHTSA, you can hit the road with confidence.
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The Mazda 3 is another vehicle that should be on the shortlist for buyers on a budget. This 5-seat sedan features a 191hp, 2.5-litre engine; 16-inch alloy wheels and safety features like blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert. Other features include heated front seats, an 8-speaker sound system and an 8.8-inch-wide colour display, providing plenty of convenience when you’re on the road.
The Mazda 3 is a great all-round vehicle. It may not deliver super-sporty performance or the same fuel economy as some of the other cars on this list, but it consistently scores well in reviews for confident handling, having a premium interior and coming with useful tech features. It was a 2023 Top Safety Pick and award winner from the IIHS, so the Mazda 3 is a great pick if you’re shopping in the under-$30k price range.
No one said cars under $30,000 were only small sedans and hatchbacks, which is where the Mazda CX-30 comes in. This compact SUV is powered by a 191hp, 4-cylinder engine and comes with Mazda’s i-Activ AWD as a standard feature. Other highlights include Mazda Connected Services, 16-inch alloy wheels and safety tech such as blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alerts.
If you value on-road safety, the 2024 CX-30 earned Top Safety Pick+ status from the IIHS and a 5-star rating from the NHTSA. It’s loaded with Mazda’s i-Activsense safety technologies, and it regularly earns rave reviews for the quality of its on-road handling and interior finish. If you’re shopping for an SUV with a price tag under $30,000, the CX-30 is worth considering.
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The Chevrolet Trax is a small SUV that’s big on features. Featuring a 1.2-litre turbo engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission, the Trax combines sporty looks with an engaging driving experience. There’s plenty of interior space too plus handy features like 11-inch display screen, wireless phone integration and Chevrolet Safety Assist technology. Because of its low starting price, you can also upgrade to a higher trim level without exceeding your budget.
The larger Chevrolet Trailblazer also comes in under the $30k price tag if you want more interior space. The 2024 Trax has consistently received positive reviews from motor journalists. This compact SUV looks great, offers a larger, more comfortable cabin than previous models and is full of practical features.
Next on our list of the best cars under $30k in Canada, the Nissan Sentra is a compact sedan with a long list of features. It’s powered by a 2-litre, 149 horsepower engine, provides flexible cargo space for each and every journey, comes with an 8-inch touchscreen display and also boasts a Bose sound system. And with safety features like Blind Spot Warning and Rear Automatic Braking included, it’s an impressive all-round package.
The Sentra may not be the type of car to set anyone’s heart racing, but it does everything it’s designed to do—and does it well. It’s easy on the eye, has a comfortable and practical cabin and comes with a long list of standard safety features. If you’re looking for a convenient and reliable daily drive, the Nissan Sentra could be the perfect fit.
The Subaru Crosstrek is a compact crossover SUV that has won plenty of fans in Canada and around the world. It features a 152 horsepower engine, 17-inch alloy wheels and rugged styling. Step inside and you’ll find a versatile cargo space, dual 7-inch touchscreens and Subaru’s EyeSight Driver Assist Technology to help you stay safe on the road.
The Crosstrek earned a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS and a 5-star car safety rating from the NHTSA. Motoring journalists praise it for offering decent off-road performance, a fun driving experience and a long list of features. Add reasonable fuel economy to the mix, and you’ve got a crossover that ticks all the right boxes.
Last but not least on our list of the best cars under $30k is the Honda HR-V SUV. This compact SUV features a 2-litre engine that produces 158 horsepower and 138 lb-ft of torque. Step inside and you’ll be greeted by automatic climate control, up to 1,559 litres of cargo space, a 7-inch touchscreen display and wireless device charging.
The 2024 HR-V earned a 2023 Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS and a 5-star safety rating from the NHTSA. It delivers a combined fuel consumption of 8.3 L/100km, has a practical cabin and boasts plenty of interior space. If you’re in the market for an affordable SUV, we think the HR-V should definitely be on your test drive list.
We chose the best cars under $30,000 on this page based on vehicles available in Canada. These vehicles are not representative of the entire market. When choosing our picks for the best under-$30k cars, we considered price, safety, unique features, awards, ratings and sales volume. No single car will be the best choice for everyone, so compare your options to find the best fit for your situation.
If you’re shopping for a car and you have a $30,000 budget, you might be surprised by how many good-quality options are available. Make sure you know exactly what you need in a vehicle, then compare (and test-drive) a range of options in your price range, to find the best car under $30k for you.
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